The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-24
THANKSGIVING DAY.
RETURN OF THE ANNUAL OCCASION
TO RENDER THANKS
The Day Only Partially Observed in the
South, but Because of No Lack of
Pie,y or Felt Obligations to Provi-
dence- Special Church Services.

This IS Thanksgiving day, so appointed by
President Cleveland and Gov. H. l.. Taylor,
In accordance with time honorcd usage. All
national and State institutions, such as post
Offices hanks etc, observe II as a legal holi.
day. o. do also the various courts OF law and
equity. Religious services arc extensively
held IN the churches throughout the land,
and these are usually attended by thank
offerings To- the deserving poor and needy,
a. wards Of public charity In every section
OF the country, save the south. the day i,
very generally observed, in many Of It,
characteristics bearing n striking rcscm
bance to the Sabbath. Why the custom
has not heretofore prevailed 20 u larger eN-
tent IN this section is difficult OF cNplana-
ton. but Is not the result Of lack Of piety or
disregard oi the claims of providence Tor
national or individual protection and pros
perity.
Zach succeeding year marks pcrccpublo
increase IN the number Of churches and peo-
ple observing the day with appropriate
solcmnity A few year, ago the great mass
% people barely knew Of It's special charac.
ter. and n majority OF them remembered II
only when brought TO mind by accident on
than the Episcopal. paid no attention % IL ~
Organic bodies Notwithstanding all this,
the cause OF charity has always been well
sustained. and Thanksgiving day turned into
one ~ genuine rejoicing and plenty for the
orphans and those intrusied with their care.
Appeals for aid in this direction never fall
upon deaf can or stony hearts. The people
81 the south are highly susceptible 10 cries
OF distress and suffering, when these are nj
tended by even the semblanoe 81 worth. In
consequence. the charitable institutions scat
tcrd over her domain are literally nour.
ishcd and sustained,
The Stranger chunh has 81 all the city
churches, taken n more pronounced stand Ia
suitably observing the day. Each year, since
Its existence. the ladies have made com
mcndable efforts To obtain contributions in
the way Of money aud articles OF food aud
clothing In this they have always achieved
marked success. aud many are the blessings
invoked by relieved sufferers on their de.
voted heads This year will prove no cxocp-
ton. The ladies announced, n day or two
hgo. that they would be- at the church all day
yesterday, aud until O'Clock this morning.
to receive anything that generous hearts
might choose 90 btstow. In addition 10 this
service they bring all their artistic taste and
energy 20 bear in appropriately decorating
the church for Thanksgiving services, which
are invariably held ut II o'clock am. After
the services a collection u taken up, and tho
amount raised, together with the miscclln.
ncous articles contributed, are distributed 10
the orphas nsylums aud such other dcscry-
ing eases of charity ~ may be brought 10
the attention Of the ladies.
The Rev Dr. Mahnn viii preach Thanks
giving sermon 40 the First Methodist church
~ O'Clock tonight This will also be- his
adicu 10 the congregation before going to
Brownsville Ia begin his pastoral work there
Thanksgiving services will also be held In
the Second Presbyterian church corner of
Main and Bcnlc, nj II o'clock this morning,
When the Rev nr. Hogs will deliver one OF
his most eloquent and effective discOuucs.